Most leaders think their feedback is helping, but more often than not, it misses the mark. Vague comments, personal attacks, and a lack of follow-up erode trust and weaken team morale. In this article, Michael Forras, retired Marine Sergeant Major and former U.S. Diplomat, introduces the CLEAR Framework, a practical, five-step system for giving feedback that creates clarity, builds trust, and drives lasting growth. Drawing on over 20 years of leading in combat zones, embassies, and boardrooms, he shows how leaders can transform feedback from a source of tension into a culture of resolution.

Dale Carnegie once said, "A person's name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound." Remembering and using names is more than courtesy—it’s a leadership tool that builds trust, fosters connections, and drives success. In the people-centered world of business, mastering this simple skill can elevate your leadership and strengthen relationships.

If there's one superpower we wish was more widespread in the workplace, it's effective communication. When we encounter effective communicators, they stand out so significantly that they almost seem to possess an elusive and mystical ability.